Autonomic nervous system

1. AUTONOMIC NRVOUS SYSTEM
FATIMA WAHID MANGRIO
fatimawahid1234@gmail.com

3. AUTONOMIC NRVOUS SYSTEM
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) is
primarily concerned with regulation of
visceral functions of the body. So, it is
also called involuntary nervous system.

4. • From anatomical and physiological point
of view, ANS is
divided into two divisions:
1. Sympathetic division
2. Parasympathetic division.

5. Sympathetic Autonomic Nervous System
• It is the part of the autonomic nervous
system, located near the thoracic and
lumbar regions in the spinal cord. Its
primary function is to stimulate the
body’s fight or flight response. It does
this by regulating the heart rate, rate
of respiration, pupillary response and
more.

6. • The sympathetic nervous
system directs the body's rapid
involuntary response to dangerous or
stressful situations. A flash flood of
hormones boosts the body's alertness
and heart rate, sending extra blood to
the muscles.

7. Parasympathetic Autonomic Nervous
System:
• It is located in between the spinal cord
and the medulla. It primarily stimulates
the body’s “rest and digest” and “feed
and breed” response.

9. Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Involved in the fight or flight response.
Involved in maintaining homeostasis and also, permits the rest
and digest response.
The sympathetic system prepares the body for any potential
danger.
The parasympathetic system aims to bring the body to a state of
calm.
Sympathetic system has shorter neuron pathways, hence a
faster response time.
Has comparatively longer neuron pathways, hence a slower
response time.
Increases heartbeat, muscles tense up. Reduces heartbeat, muscles relaxes.
The pupil dilates to let in more light. The pupil contracts.
Saliva secretion is inhibited. Saliva secretion increases, digestion increases.
On “fight and flight” situations, Adrenaline is released by the
adrenal glands; more glycogen is converted to glucose.
No such functions exist in “fight or flight” situations.

11. AGING AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• A variety of functional and anatomical
changes in the autonomic nervous system
occur with age. These changes impair one's
ability to “react” to environmental or internal
stimuli that would normally be addressed with
alterations in autonomic activity and a
corresponding change in visceral functioning.

12. AGING AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The aging brain does lose neurons, but this is
only a small percentage of the total and not
the usual cause of mental impairment in
elderly people. (Far more common causes are
depression, malnutrition, hypotension, and the
side effects of medications.)

13. • Some forgetfulness is to be expected,
however, as is a decreased ability for rapid
problem solving, but most memory should
remain intact. Voluntary movements become
slower, as do reflexes and reaction time.
Think of driving a car, an ability most of us
take for granted. For elderly people, with
their slower perceptions and reaction times,
greater consciousness of driving is necessary.

14. • efficiency of ANS declines in old age,
like rest of ns target organs have fewer
receptor proteins for NT and are less
responsive
• Dry eyes, poorer night vision, slower
adapting to intensity, less efficient
control of BP

15. • As the autonomic nervous system ages, dry
eyes and constipation may become problems.
Transient hypotension may be the result of
decreased sympathetic stimulation of
vasoconstriction. In most cases, however,
elderly people who are aware of these aspects
of aging will be able to work with their
physicians or nurses to adapt to them.